Gunnell had teamed up with the Caravan Club to open the farm up to 1,300 caravans for the duration of the Games, offering fans and volunteers a cheap accommodation option in an ideal location just six miles from the Olympic Park in Stratford.

But the plans provoked an angry outcry from residents, with 600 letters of protest being received by the local council and threats of legal action being taken against the Caravan Club on the grounds of noise and increased traffic.

Gunnell, who now lives in Sussex but whose parents still run the farm, said she was staggered that what was only intended to be a temporary site had caused such fury among locals. She had intended to live on-site herself during the Games.

“What was really sad was that most of the people who had already booked were all the volunteers for the Games. It was only temporary. That’s what I couldn’t work out,” she said.

“They [local residents] said they didn’t want it because they were going on about the noise and they thought it was going to get travellers in and they thought we were gong to do it again, even though it was just a one-off.”

The Caravan Club, which is still looking for an alternative site, said it had never encountered such fierce opposition in its 104-year history.

In a statement, it said: “The Club wanted to enable its members to be close to the venues, to visit the Games and to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event. It was never an intention to repeat this exercise and host future temporary sites on the venue.

“It became apparent that many Chigwell residents were in opposition to the plans for the temporary site. It was never the intention of the Club to cause such concern to residents and the Club was surprised and saddened by the depth of sentiment.”

Following the protests at the recent Olympic equestrian test event by members of NOGOE (No To Greenwich Olympic Equestrian Events), it would seem London 2012 is fast tuning into the NIMBY Games.

Team GB given Olympic stadium trial

Anyone attending next year’s British Universities Athletic Championships is likely to see some familiar, older faces among the 1,200-plus students taking part.

The championships, which take place from May 4-7, also happen to be the official test event for London 2012 and will be the first and only athletics competition to be held inside the gleaming, new Olympic Stadium in Stratford before the Games get under way.

But, at the request of UK Athletics, British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) has agreed to open up the championships to someof Britain’s star athletes to give them a chance to familiarise themselves with the 80,000-seat venue.

UK Athletics had originally wanted to hold its Olympic trials inthe stadium but were denied permission by London Olympics organisers because they would have clashed with preparations for the opening ceremony.

Precise details of how the star athletes will be integrated into the championships are still being negotiated, but the options are to either offer them a single lane in the university races or else stage separate elite races. Because of the fewer numbers in field events, one place will be offered in university field competitions for elite throwers and jumpers.

UK Athletics is anxious for its Olympic athletes to have the opportunity to experience the stadium in advance of the Games to reduce the risk of stage fright and to get them used to conditions inside the venue.

Throwers will be particularly keen to experience the wind inside the stadium while sprinters will doubtless want to test the track. However, some athletes have said they will not be taking up the offer because they want to save the stadium experience until the realthing.

London 2012 organisers to cash in in memorabilia

London Olympics organisers are going into the sporting memorabilia business to boost revenues from the Games.

In a deal that will earn Locog a lucrative licensing fee and further royalties against sales, an online auction of Olympic collectables to celebrate the country’s Olympic achievements is to be held in the run-up to London 2012.

The auction will feature items such as Games programmes signed by some of Britain’s best-known Olympians as well as sought-after souvenirs such as articles of clothing worn by former stars during their medal-winning performances.

Some of the memorabilia will also relate to current big-name athletes who will be in action in London next year.

Athletes and ex-athletes contributing memorabilia will, it is understood, receive a cut of the profits. In a complex financial arrangement, Locog, the licensee organising the sale, the auction company and the International Olympic Committee will also receive a share.